Same-Sex Civil Marriage

Publication Date: July 2009

Publisher: National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (U.S.)

Author(s): Steve Greenberg

Research Area: Culture and religion; Social conditions

Keywords: Jewish Law (Halacha); Jewish Values; Homosexuality; Marriage

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

In light of a number of Canadian cities moving towards legislation to allow civil marriages for same-sex couples, the author, an Orthodox Rabbi discusses same-sex civil marriage in the context of Jewish Law (Halacha). He asserts that while under Halacha, same-sex marriage is not permitted as such, Halacha works by being malleable to the changing social currents. The author asserts that civil marriages are an insitution governed by secular society, and the acceptance of civil unions supports family values and allows for marriages rooted in religious tradition to retain their sanctity.